Home > Appetizers > Taco Salad Dip Recipe

Taco Salad Dip Recipe

You can take this Taco salad dip to any party really. It's just an all-around-amazing dip; sort of like the 7-layer dip, but it holds it's own.

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Are any of you football fans? I think it’s football season, right? Please don’t throw tomatoes at me. They’ll only hit the computer screen. It’s just not worth it… I’ll have you know, I went to a football game in high school (once). I was cheering for effort and sometimes for the wrong team. I don’t really want to talk about it.

You can take this Taco salad dip to any party really. It’s just an all-around-amazing dip; sort of like the 7-layer dip, but it holds it’s own. My family members gobbled it up.

This is yet another recipe from DeAnna Pavlenko who shared her Healthier Carrot Cake recipe a few months back. DeAnna, thank you so much for sharing your amazing food with the rest of us!

Taco Salad Dip Ingredients:

1 package Taco Seasoning Mix (we bought Original Taco by McCormick)
1/4 cup water
1 lb lean ground beef (I purchased 7% fat)
1 (8oz) package cream cheese
1 cup cottage cheese (any size curd)
1 cup salsa (we used our roasted salsa, but you can use any salsa)
2 cups (8 oz) finely shredded medium cheddar cheese
2 cups shredded green lettuce such as iceberg
2 cups finely chopped tomatoes
1 avocado, diced, optional
Cilantro for garnish, optional
Taco Chips (or any kind of firm tortillas) to serve

Taco Salad Dip

How to make Taco Salad Dip:

1. In a large skillet, brown ground beef (No need to add oil). Drain with a paper-towel if there is excess liquid. My 7% beef didn’t have any extra juices to drain.

Taco Salad Dip-4

2. Combine 1 packet of taco seasoning mix with 1/4 cup water. Once the beef is fully cooked, stir the taco seasoning mix into the beef and remove from heat to cool down.

Taco Salad Dip @natashaskitchen

3. In the bowl of a food processor (we are using the Cuisinart Prep 11-Cup Food Processor, blend 1 cup cottage cheese, 1 package cream cheese and 1 cup salsa until well combined and smooth.

Taco Salad Dip-3

I could just dip my chip right in there.

Taco Salad Dip-7

4. Spread beef into the bottom of a 9×13-inch glass baking pan, or into individual glass ramekins if you want to get fancy, or if you have time to kill. Top the meat with the blended cream cheese mixture.

Taco Salad Dip-8

5. Sprinkle evenly with finely grated cheese. Top with sliced lettuce, diced tomatoes, avocado and cilantro (if using). If you aren’t serving right away, you might squeeze some lime juice over your avocado to keep it from browning, then cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve (if you have the will power not to eat it right away).

Taco Salad Dip-11Taco Salad Dip-10
You can take this Taco salad dip to any party really. It's just an all-around-amazing dip; sort of like the 7-layer dip, but it holds it's own.

Serve with Taco chips; naturally. These are the organic chips from Costco. They are so good. My husband has to pull the bag away from me when I finish my dip because I just keep eating the chips (true story). :-O

Taco Salad Dip Recipe

5 from 9 votes
Author: Natasha of NatashasKitchen.com
You can take this Taco salad dip to any party really. It's just an all-around-amazing dip; sort of like the 7-layer dip, but it holds it's own.
You can take this Taco salad dip to any party really. It's just an all-around-amazing dip; sort of like the 7-layer dip, but it holds it's own.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients 

Servings: 8 -10
  • 1 package Taco Seasoning Mix, we bought Original Taco by McCormick
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1 lb lean ground beef, I purchased 7% fat
  • 1 8oz package cream cheese
  • 1 cup cottage cheese, any size curd
  • 1 cup salsa, we used our roasted salsa, but you can use any salsa
  • 2 cups 8 oz finely shredded medium cheddar cheese
  • 2 cups shredded lettuce
  • 2 cups finely chopped tomatoes
  • 1 avocado, diced, optional
  • Cilantro for garnish, optional
  • Taco Chips, or any kind of firm tortillas to serve

Instructions

  • In a large skillet, brown ground beef (No need to add oil). Drain with a paper-towel if there is excess liquid. My lean 7% beef didn't have any extra juices to drain.
  • Combine 1 packet of taco seasoning mix with 1/4 cup water. Once the beef is fully cooked, stir the taco seasoning mix into the beef and remove from heat to cool down.
  • In the bowl of a food processor, blend 1 cup cottage cheese, 1 package cream cheese and 1 cup salsa until well combined and smooth.
  • Spread beef into the bottom of a 9x13-inch glass baking pan, or into individual glass ramekins. Top the meat with the blended cream cheese mixture.
  • Sprinkle evenly with finely grated cheese. Top with sliced lettuce, diced tomatoes, avocado and cilantro (if using). If you aren't serving right away, you might squeeze some lime juice over your avocado to keep it from browning, then cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve. Serve with Taco chips; naturally.
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American, Tex Mex
Keyword: seven layer dip, Taco Salad Dip
Skill Level: Easy
Cost to Make: $10-$12

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Natasha Kravchuk

Welcome to my kitchen! I am Natasha, the blogger behind Natasha's Kitchen (since 2009). My husband and I run this blog together and share only our best, family approved and tested recipes with YOU. Thanks for stopping by! We are so happy you're here.

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Read comments/reviewsAdd comment/review

  • Olga
    February 23, 2021

    Hi Natasha. I was wondering what dressing do u use when u make taco salad?

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      February 23, 2021

      Hi Olga, I haven’t made a taco salad in a while, but ranch is often used.

      Reply

  • Lisa
    July 20, 2020

    Do you make your own roasted salsa? If not what brand do you use. (:

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      July 20, 2020

      Hi Lisa, we use our own roasted salsa but you can use any brand too.

      Reply

  • Dana
    November 6, 2017

    Is it spicy ?

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      November 7, 2017

      Dana, this dip is normally not spicy but you can control the spiciness by the kind of salsa will be added.

      Reply

  • Svetlana Razumovsky
    April 11, 2017

    This recipe is sooooo good!!! I made it once to a youth party and now I’m being asked to make it again and again!!! So easy to make also!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      April 11, 2017

      I’m happy to hear that everyone loves the recipe! Thanks for sharing Svetlana!

      Reply

  • Monica
    February 10, 2017

    Excellent dip!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      February 11, 2017

      I’m glad to enjoyed it Monica! Thanks for sharing 🙂

      Reply

  • anya
    May 9, 2016

    I was not a big cream cheese lover, but decided to make this dip. its simply delicious. my hubby and teenage daughter ( who is very picky when it comes to home made food) really liked it. thanks Natasha !

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      May 9, 2016

      I’m so happy you and your family liked it! Thanks for sharing that with us 🙂

      Reply

  • Dee
    September 16, 2015

    Hi, can I make this a day before? Will it hold up?

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      September 16, 2015

      Yes it will hold up, but I would recommend garnishing with tomatoes, cilantro and avocado the same day you are serving this so they stay vibrant and fresh.

      Reply

  • Liliya
    March 19, 2015

    Can I use romaine lettuce? Or is it gonna less tasty ?

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      March 19, 2015

      Romaine lettuce doesn’t have that crisp texture and is more likely to wilt so I’d recommend the other one.

      Reply

  • Tanya
    February 3, 2015

    Made this dish for the Super Bowl. What a great hit it was 🙂 Thank you for sharing all of your delicious recipes 🙂

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      February 4, 2015

      Thank you Tanya for the great review and you are welcome :).

      Reply

  • liliya nozdratenko
    October 9, 2014

    ahh this is such a tasty mouth watering taco salad dip recipe.. i love trying yor recipes natasha

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      October 9, 2014

      I’m so glad you enjoyed it 🙂 Thanks for the great review! 🙂

      Reply

  • Masha L
    April 2, 2014

    I made this tonight! It was good.. We enjoyed it! Thanks!

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      April 2, 2014

      Music to my ears. I love easy recipes like this that only look like they took alot of time 😉

      Reply

  • Alena
    February 14, 2014

    looks yummie and kinda healthy:) ill try making it tonight:) thank you

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      February 14, 2014

      Let me know how it turns out :).

      Reply

  • marina
    February 7, 2014

    Natasha!!
    Thanks for sharing your webside.
    Can your you share recepies with more organic foods acceptable to daily life excluding monsato corporation foods.
    thank you

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      February 8, 2014

      You could totally sub almost any ingredient with the organic version. I’ve been buying more and more organic stuff so you’ll probably see it more and more in the recipes to come 🙂 Thanks for the suggestion!

      Reply

  • Nadya
    December 2, 2013

    Hello, Natasha I love your recipes. Can I substitute the beef for shredded Chicken?

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      December 2, 2013

      You can but it might be a little harder to dip, but it would be great if you shredded it well enough 😉

      Reply

  • Maureen | Orgasmic Chef
    November 16, 2013

    I always think of summer when I see this salad AND it’s summer her so it’s a big win because I’m making this tomorrow! 🙂

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      November 16, 2013

      enjoy it Maureen! 🙂 How nice that it’s still summer where you are!

      Reply

  • Katy
    November 15, 2013

    so does the lettuce go here or no?? u didnt put it in the directions.. and if it does, where does it go? and also what kinda lettuce,iceberg?

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      November 15, 2013

      Yes, iceberg. I thought I fixed that, but maybe I didn’t save the draft. Anyway, sorry about that. Yes, the lettuce goes in just before the tomatoes 🙂

      Reply

  • Katy
    November 15, 2013

    what organic chips are you talking about?? do you have a picture??

    Reply

  • Vita
    November 14, 2013

    This looks AMAZING!! I really want to make it this weekend.

    Reply

  • Olena@iFOODreal
    November 13, 2013

    I love anything taco – salad, dips, tacos.:) Past weekend I made similar dip but vegetarian one and with Greek yoghurt. And I’m a huge fan of those organic tortilla chips in a huge bag from Costco too.;)

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      November 13, 2013

      Oh I bet Greek yogurt would be a great substitute for some of the cream cheese in this recipe!

      Reply

  • inthekitchenwithluba.com
    November 11, 2013

    I don’t get football either, but I do get this dip! looks yummy! 🙂

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      November 11, 2013

      Yes!! I’m not alone. Thank you! lol

      Reply

  • Inna
    November 11, 2013

    Do you have a 7 layer dip? cuz my mother in law makes it sometimes, but she doesnt know the exact recipe! lol. she makes it “na glaz”! 🙂 and so the other time she made it, i totally didnt like it lol.

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      November 11, 2013

      I do but I haven’t posted it yet 🙂 I’ll add it to the list.

      Reply

  • YanaP
    November 10, 2013

    Yes! Go SEAHAWKS!!! 🙂

    Will be trying this recipe. Thank You!

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      November 10, 2013

      I used to be a Seattle Sonics fan back when we lived in Seattle 😉

      Reply

  • Eve
    November 9, 2013

    Looks Good!

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      November 9, 2013

      Why thank you 🙂

      Reply

  • Liz
    November 9, 2013

    Delicious. Thank you and have a great weekend.

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      November 9, 2013

      Thanks Liz! You have a happy weekend too!!

      Reply

  • Alaskangirl
    November 9, 2013

    Thanks for sharing this recipe, Natasha. I will have to try it one day. Do you put shredded lettuce together with tomatoes and avocados? Didn’t see in the directions. I love avocado so this definitely a keeper.

    Lori

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      November 9, 2013

      Lettuce, then tomatoes, then avocados and cilantro if you are using it 🙂

      Reply

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